Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his Cabinet has unanimously voted to close broadcaster Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel.

The move came after Israeli lawmakers recently approved a new media law widely referred to as the “Al Jazeera law” that gives the government powers to ban foreign broadcasters if they are deemed a risk to state security.

Netanyahu announced the Cabinet decision in a post on X, formerly Twitter, in which he called Al Jazeera “the hate channel.”

Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said on Sunday that he had signed the closure order and that it would be implemented immediately.

According to Israeli reports, this means that offices in Israel could be closed, broadcasting equipment confiscated, the station removed from cable and satellite television channels and its website blocked.

The Israeli government had accused Al Jazeera, which is based in the Gulf emirate of Qatar and has a wide reach in the Arab world, of biased reporting on the ongoing war against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip.

Al Jazeera has reported extensively on the catastrophic situation in the Palestinian territory and shown images of death and destruction that are rarely seen on Israeli television stations.

The channel also regularly shows videos of attacks on Israeli soldiers by Hamas’ military arm, the Qassam Brigades.

The channel has rejected allegations of bias and, in the past, accused Netanyahu of spreading “new lies and inflammatory slanders” against the network.

Al Jazeera has also accused the Israeli military of deliberately targeting journalists on several occasions.

Netanyahu has accused Al Jazeera of “damaging Israel’s security, actively participating in the massacre on October 7 and inciting against Israeli soldiers.”

Al-Jazeera was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Doha. It was one of the first Arab TV stations to publish critical reports on the region and quickly gained popularity.

The Israeli government’s efforts to ban Al Jazeera have drawn criticism from some of the country’s most prominent allies, including the United States and Germany.

The U.S. State Department expressed irritation of the decision and reiterated support for the free press all over the world.

A German Foreign Office spokesman also criticised the so-called Al Jazeera law last month: “A free and diverse press landscape is the cornerstone of a liberal democracy.”

The Petroleum Technology Association of Nigeria (PETAN) has led delegates to the 2024 Offshore Technology Conference (OTC) in Houston, Texas U.S. to discuss sustainable energy solutions for Africa’s future.

Mr Kevin Nwanze, Executive Secretary, PETAN, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

Nwanze said that PETAN’s Nigerian pavilion at OTC 2024 would be hosted under the theme, “Sustainable Energy Solutions for Africa’s Future”.

He said that the conference would have more than 200 hours of multidisciplinary discussions and networking events, including a wide range of topics, suited for every participant.

PETAN scribe, however, called for stakeholders’ participation at the 2024 OTC, holding between May 6 and May 9 at the NRG Park, Houston, Texas, US.

According to him, PETAN has been responsible for hosting stakeholders at the OTC for many years.

“The association is calling on government agencies, stakeholders, oil and gas companies, and Nigerian investors to participate at the Nigerian pavilion at the prestigious event in Houston, U.S.

“Participation in the Nigerian pavilion shall deliver a unique opportunity for exhibitors and delegates to interact with global professionals

“As they share their insights on technological advances, energy transition, safety, environmentally focused solutions, and economic and regulatory impacts of the offshore energy sector,” he aded.

Nwanze said: “It allows organisations to engage with world leaders, CEOs, and government officials from around the world, with the chance to create and develop business relationships.

“And also tap into emerging regions vital to offshore development and obtaining recognition necessary for growth and visibility to thousands across the globe.

“Showcase your company’s capabilities to over 1,000 delegates and over 250 companies in the industry.

“Promote products and services to operators and contractors in the local region.

“Gain access to the latest industry news and access to networking opportunities with professional contacts from across the world.

“Network with the upstream, midstream, and downstream organisations and high-profile government officials and key decision-makers in the industry.

“Build and establish new leads as well as entrench a global presence in the industry.

“Get familiar with competitors’ capabilities to stay ahead in the industry,” the statement read.

The OTC 2024 expects over 31,000 energy professionals as attendees, 45 technical sessions, 450 presentations and over 1,300 exhibitors drawn from different countries, including Nigeria.

The Osun Amotekun Corps has arrested a 51-years-old man for allegedly defrauding nine people of N1,597,000 on the pretext of processing a Corporate Affairs Commission(CAC) registration and international passports for them.

This is contained in a statement by the Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, retired Brig.-Gen. Bashir Adewinmbi, on Sunday in Osogbo.

Adewinmbi said the suspect, who had been on the run, was arrested in Gbongan area of the state on Tuesday.

He disclosed that Akinola, who is an indigene of Igbara Odo in Ekiti State, collected N1,597,000 at the Oluyole area of Ibadan, Oyo State, from victims in the guise of processing CAC registration and international passport, and absconded.

“The suspect was arrested by the Amotekun Intelligence operatives in Gbongan after a complaint was lodged at our Ayedaade Local Government Command by one of the victims he collected money from at Oluyole Area in Ibadan.

“Our operatives swung into action immediately and were able to detect that the suspect, who had ran away from Ibadan, was in his hometown in Igbara-Odo of Ekiti State, using different telephone numbers to evade arrest.

“We were, however, able to arrest him after a tip-off from his girlfriend, who knows his hotline, and who also help us invite him to Gbongan for a business deal.

“He was promptly arrested after getting to Gbongan and during investigation, we discovered that the suspect goes by different other names such as Ayodeji Harry-young and Samuel Ayodeji with multiple phone numbers and ATM cards bearing different names.

“He also confessed to joining a fraud crime syndicate, aka 4-1-9 gang, in 2003 in Ekiti State,” Adewinmbi said.

The commander said the suspect has been handed over to Amotekun Oyo State Command for further interrogation and prosecution.

Adewinmbi said the arrest underscores the commitment and dedication of the Osun Amotekun Corps to combating crimes, and ensuring the safety and security of lives and property in the state.